🐺Wolf Creek:Volume One🐺

Chapter Fourteen: Cecil Braddock and the Mystery Girl

I could practically feel myself thawing. I rubbed my arms and legs as if I could massage out the cold. Without a word Mr. Acuna flipped the vents towards me. I shyly thanked him before making myself sit still. He smiled at me for a moment before turning his gaze back to the road. I glanced at him before looking into my lap. He was wearing a black suit and silver wolf pin just like the last time I had seen him.

A weird feeling still weighed down my chest. It was coming from him, and even from the car. Something in the way his smile never reached his eyes. I hadn't noticed it at first, but now it was obvious every time he did. I mentally shook the paranoia away-it was just because my mind was still stuck on when he first pulled up. I get my mind off of it I decided to just talk to him.

"So how did your family get so lucky?"

"What a nice way to ask about money."

"...Thanks."

"The Acuna family has a mix of old and new money." Mr. Acuna chuckled. "We're Of British and Native American descent, and some of them were the main influences in the founding of this town. Each generation has added various things over the decades. I for one have made a business that works constantly to further the research and development of medicines and procedures for endangered species all over the world. I also keep a watchful eye on the stocks."

Then he chuckled again as if he had told a joke. I politely laughed with him until I noticed we had turned into my driveway. Soon we were stopped in front of the house. Then Mr. Acuna turned to me and leaned forward so that his arm was resting on the steering wheel. He was uncomfortably close, and I fought the urge the fidget or lean back.

"This is your stop."

"Alright. Thank you so much!"

"No need to thank me."

I opened the door before he spoke again.

"Miss Thatcher, I'm very curious. Do you remember anything before the accident?" Mr. Acuna questioned. I was caught off guard by his question. I racked my brain for an answer, but came up with nothing. I shook my head solemnly.

"No, sir, I didn't even remember my Gran. I still don't remember her, or anyone really." I stammered. Mr. Acuna mechanically nodded along. If I didn't know any better I could have sworn for a moment that my answer pleased him. He leaned back, and I tried to get out of the car as fast as I could without seeming scared.

"Oh, wait!" I heard myself blurt out.

Mr. Acuna gripped the steering wheel.

"Max. The other day, I remembered Max."

"That's wonderful." Mr. Acuna spoke after a few moments. Somewhere in my heart I somehow knew he didn't mean it. Without a word he waved goodbye, and began to make the drive off of the property. I caught sight of the hood of his car. A silver figurine was perched at the front. It was a wolf, leaning forward with a snarl. Like it was lunging at something. I watched the car as it left. Then, in the light of the front porch I saw someone through the back window. A chill ran down my spine.

Cecil Braddock was sitting sideways in the back seat of the car as he watched me as well. His hair was immaculate the last time I had seen him. Now it was positively wild. A streak of red ran down one side of his nose, past his mouth, and over his chin. It was a bloody nose.